10th November, 2014 To: Each Member of Donegal County Council I hereby give notice under Paragraph 7 of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 2001, having received a requisition from the Cathaoirleach pursuant to Paragraph 6(1)(a) of said schedule, that a Special Meeting of Donegal County Council shall be held at 3pm on Friday 14th November, 2014 in the County House, Lifford, County Donegal to transact the following business, as set out in agenda and contained within the aforementioned requisition. A copy of the requisition is attached. AGENDA To provide the Members of Donegal County Council with an opportunity to debate the ongoing crisis that residents face with the billing of Water Charges by Irish Water. _________________________ Liam Ward Meetings Administrator MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL HELD ON 14TH NOVEMBER 2014 IN THE COUNTY HOUSE, LIFFORD C/521/14 MEMBERS PRESENT Clr. John Campbell (Cathaoirleach), Clrs. Liam Blaney, Enda Bonner, Ciaran Brogan, Paul Canning, Tom Conaghan, Gerry Crawford, Nicholas Crossan, Albert Doherty, Gary Doherty, Liam Doherty, Rena Donaghey, Maire Therese Gallagher, Noel Andrew Jordan, Jimmy Kavanagh, Niamh Kennedy, Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Frank McBrearty, Michael McBride, James Pat McDaid, Martin McDermott, Ian McGarvey, Parick McGowan, Bernard McGuinness, Gerry McMonagle, Jack Murray, Seamus O’Domhnaill, John O Donnell, John Sheamais O’Fearraigh, Barry O Neill, Mick Quinn, John Ryan, Dessie Shiels and Terence Slowey. C/522/14 APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Clrs Martin Harley, Martin Farren and Sean McEniff. C/523/14 OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE Mr. Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Mr. John McLaughlin, Director of Roads and Housing Capital, Mr. Michael Heaney, Director of Community, Culture & Development Planning, Mr. Liam Ward, Director of Housing, Corporate and Planning Control Services, Mr. Garry Martin, Director of Finance, Information Systems and Emergency Services, Mr. Joe Peoples, Director of Water and Environment and Ms. Kathleen Browne, Staff Officer. C/524/14 ONGOING CRISIS IN BILLING OF WATER CHARGES BY IRISH WATER At the commencement of the meeting, the Cathaoirleach, Clr John Campbell advised the members present that in accordance with Secion 6(1)(a) of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 2001, he had convened a Special Meeting of Donegal County Council to transact the following business:- “To provide the Members of Donegal County Council with an opportunity to debate the ongoing crisis that residents face with the billing of Water Charges by Irish Water.” Clr Frank McBrearty thanked the Cathaoirleach for granting his request for a special meeting. He proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Clr Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig:- “I, Independent Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr propose that we the members of Donegal County Council pass a resolution calling on the Government to abolish water charges on residential homes and that the Government fully commits to holding a referendum to not privatise our natural resource of water, which belongs to the Irish people.” In proposing the motion, Clr McBrearty outlined his opposition to the imposition of water charges. He advocated a boycott by all members of the public in paying water charges. He called on all government parties to take the same stance. A copy of this proposed motion was circulated to all members present. Clr Ciaran Brogan proposed an amendment to the motion to also include the abolition of Irish Water. Clr Barry O Neill, seconded by, Clr Frank McBrearty proposed to adjourn the meeting for 20 minutes to allow all grouping to meet to discuss the motion. A counter proposal, proposed by, Clr Dessie Shiels seconded by, Clr John O’Donnell to continue with the meeting was also put to the members. Following a short discussion, the motion to continue the meeting without adjournment was passed by a show of hands. Clr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig spoke in favour of the motion. He advised that he supported Clr McBrearty’s motion. He stated that people could not afford to give any more. He advised that people were already paying for water through their taxes. He supported Clr McBrearty’s call for a boycott of the Water Charges Payment. C/525/14 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS At this point of the meeting the Cathaoirleach, John Campbell, advised members present that he had received requests to film proceedings in the Council Chamber. On the proposal of Clr McBrearty, seconded by, Clr Gary Doherty, members unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Order 62 to permit filming of the meeting for five minutes. Clr Campbell also advised that members that he proposed to suspend Standing Order 30(ii) to allow all members who wished to speak on this motion to do so. Clr Ciaran Brogan spoke in support of the motion. He advised the meeting that Fianna Fail had objected to the formation of Irish Water. He advised that the meeting in Carrick on Shannon last month was the first opportunity members had to meet with Irish Water. Fianna Fail members had attended as a party. Their fears and concerns in relation to Irish Water were confirmed at this meeting. He alledged that Irish Water was a super quango with no interest in the people of Donegal. He advised that meeting that members needed to be strong and united on this matter. He stated that Donegal County Council’s remit on this matter was very limited. Any change could only happen in Dail Eireann. He called on Clr McBrearty to amend his motion to include the text “that Donegal County Council calls for the full and total abolition of Irish Water”. He called for the abolition of Irish Water and to restore the running of the water system to Donegal County Council and to provide them with the funds to invest in the network to improve it. Clr Barry O Neill then spoke in support of the motion. He advised members that he was doing so as a father, husband, son and as a member of a family who ran a small business for many years. He advised the meeting that most Fine Gael Councillors did not agree with the water charges and that the whole matter had been an utter fiasco from the seeking of PPS numbers to the bonus culture. He advised that water charges arose from the historical mismanagement of our country and had originated from the Troika agreement. He called on the government to go back to Europe and to step up for the people of Ireland. Clr Jack Murray then spoke in favour of the motion. He advised the members that this was a day for all members to stand together. He advised those present that the motion proposed today was already in line with the policy of Donegal County Council. He advised that he had moved a motion on 27th June 2011. He read the wording of this motion to the meeting. "That this Council affirms that access to water and sewerage services for domestic use is a universally recognised and basic human right. -Affirms that public authorities must take effective management decisions to protect and improve water quality, and to promote and ensure water conservation and sustainability in an equitable manner consistent with the principle of progressivity. -Condemns the chronic and on-going lack of investment in our water infrastructure, especially during the time of budget surpluses, with the result that up to 58% of treated water is lost by the distribution network before it even reaches households. -Rejects the creeping privatization of our most vital resource evidenced by the preferred option status of Design, Build and Operate contracts with private companies in the area of water production and treatment services. -Promotes the establishment of an All-Ireland Water and Sewerage Authority the purpose of which would be only to ensure that water quality and environmental standards are meet and to facilitate co- operation between local authorities on the island, reduce costs and maximize efficiency, leaving the operational responsibility with local authorities -Rejects the use of stealth taxes and other forms of regressive double-taxation as a funding mechanism for domestic water whether said stealth taxes consist of a flat charge under any name or a flat rate charge with a meter, and affirms that the central taxation system is the only appropriate funding mechanism for domestic water.” He advised that he was fundamentally opposed to paying for water. He felt fairness was the core of this issue and that people should be treated with dignity. He called on all present to carry the motion. Clr Gerry McMonagle spoke in favour of the motion. He stated that water was a fundamental right. He advised that Sinn Fein had been consistent from day one in relation to stealth taxes. He called for an end to water charges. Clr McMonagle welcomed what Clr O’ Neill had to say. He advised that the money invested in water meters would have gone a long way to sorting out the water supply system. He called for as many people as possible to attend the protests against water charges on 29th November and 10th December. Clr Ian McGarvey spoke in favour of the motion. He advised those present that he admired Clr O Neill for his stance. He complimented the work of Donegal County Council and their staff over the years in water services. He advised that 11% of the water supply was group water schemes. He felt there was a disconnect between Local Authorities and the government and he called for TD’s to be allowed to hold Council Seats again. Clr Liam Blaney advised those present that he agreed with Clr Brogan’s suggestion to amend the motion to include the call to abolish Irish Water and not just water charges and he advised that he seconded Clr Brogan’s motion.